Osaka, Japan, October 2, 2014 – Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) announces today that it has decided to invest in Vaccine Safe Co. (Head Office: Chiyoda, Tokyo) which was established in August 2014 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alfresa Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda, Tokyo; “Alfresa”). In accordance with this, Takeda will assist the widespread adoption of Vaccine Safe Co.'s vaccination management system, the “Vaccine Scheduling System” (the “System”), among medical institutions in cooperation with Alfresa which conducts informational activities for this System. The investment amount is not disclosed.

In recent years, the management of routine immunization schedule for infants and small children has become complex due an increase in the timings of simultaneous inoculations resulting from the increased number of vaccines in the routine immunization schedule. Given these circumstances, ensuring that the routine immunization schedule is properly conducted has become an issue for recipients of inoculations, their parents/guardians and healthcare professionals. This System developed by Alfresa supports the management of the routine vaccination schedule for infants and small children through information sharing with their parents/guardians as well as medical institutions.

Takeda has taken initiatives in development of business models that can provide new value to the patients and healthcare professionals in partnership with the distributors and cooperated from the planning stage of the System as part of the initiatives.

Masato Iwasaki, Ph.D., Director and Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical Marketing Division of Takeda, comments “In recent years, a large number of vaccines has been added to the routine immunization schedule and we seek to encourage vaccination among individuals who are not yet vaccinated. As a manufacturer and distributor of vaccines, Takeda will support the promotion of appropriate vaccination through activities for the widespread adoption of this System, and in doing so, seeks to contribute to the improvement of public health.”